“If His grace is an ocean we’re all sinking” (How He Loves, Crowder)
“You nailed my debt to that old rugged cross, an empty slate, at the empty grave” (Homecoming, Bethel)
“Be my peace when I’m surrounded
For my fears will never scare
You Shatter the shame that I’ve been bound in
From insecure to brand new” (No Other
Love, Red Rocks Worship)
We often can’t grasp how much patience God has with us. He never says, “this is the last time I’ll put you back together.”
He is always there waiting with open arms. Having someone in our corner that will never leave us is the best comfort we could ask for. People fail us, and we have unrealistic expectations that cause us to get mad or lose trust in others and sometimes God. But He hears our cries, He waits to put us back together, He’s the father waiting for your return home meeting you halfway.
Reminding ourselves of how much we are loved is so important in our relationship with Christ because that’s what it is, a relationship, between 2 people who have fallen in love. One so much He gave His life for you. To know his love and know his peace allows us to love people the way He loves. It allows us to move through the troubles of life with certainty that we will get through it.
Proverbs 3:5-6 & 8
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths… It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
I found these verses as I was praying over a friend for healing and that they would know God’s peace and love, and I pray this same thing for you.
Like so many, the past year has been rough for our family. Especially in the area of mental health. There were days when all we could do was cling to Jesus. Many days all I could do was cry out and be thankful for Romans 8:26-27
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 ESV
We are mostly on the other side of those issues. Cue Gloria Estefan’s “Coming Out Of the Dark”. I thank God for the care of some awesome school and professional counselors.
And, as is so often the case, I can look back and see God’s tender mercies. His constant protection. And His provision working through the generosity of others. So many people came along side us and I can never say thank you enough. So many things I had to say and ask for that were always met with love. Only God can create hearts like that.
On this side, I am throughly enjoying the growth the darkness brought. I see so much maturity, empathy, care and clarity. I see thriving. I see confidence and no compromise. I see understand of self and others. I see choices that protect mental health and shuts down negativity. I see laughter and fun and friendship. Loneliness is gone. Only God can do that.
In Job 1, everything has been taken from Job. His children were dead. His animals, the source of his wealth were gone. Let’s see how Job reacted
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
Job 1:20-22 NIV
Job mourned. Then he praised God. He trusted the Lord. Throughout most of Job, we hear Job’s friends giving him advice they think is from God. They urge him to repent of whatever sin has caused God’s wrath. Finally in chapter 38 God speaks. And I love it because I like to read it as God being kinda sassy.
““What is the way to the abode of light? And where does darkness reside? Can you take them to their places? Do you know the paths to their dwellings? Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!”
Job 38:19-21 NIV
For 2 chapters God goes on asking questions that establish His supremacy. There are things only He can do for reasons only He knows. And that’s His prerogative. He’s the creator, we are the creator. He’s the refiner, we are the refined.
When you’re going through a hard time, people like to say “everything happens for a reason”. Usually it doesn’t make you feel better. Sometimes it makes us downright mad. But I do believe it. I’ve gotten to the other side of so many terrible situations, and I can see God’s hand.
In the middle of the hard times, you have to preach the Gospel to yourself. You remind yourself of what God has done in the past. And trust that He’s loving and faithful.
God knows you and loves you. He sees your hurts and is working. He collects your tears. Cry out to him. Ask for help. Find a good counselor.
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?”
Anyone else ever feel a little confused and uneasy? Have you asked God for guidance, direction, and understanding, but you just can’t hear His answer? Telling the Lord, “I need you to help me, show me, give me a sign, anything”, to the point of frustration? Well, you are not alone. I have been guilty of feeling frustrated at our Almighty Sovereign God. I know, I am ashamed, but thankfully God still loves me! I have learned in these moments that confusion and frustration are not from God.
So lately what I keep hearing in my spirit, in sermons, and even in songs is that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life! He is the key to it all, the way to salvation. “Jesus answered, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. Well, I also believe in all our confusion and frustration, He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Everyone is searching for direction (the way) in life. We always like to know where we are going and how we are going to get there before we even begin. Wouldn’t it be so much easier if God literally gave us GPS commands that we could hear? Turn right here, take a left there, turn around, and when we lose our way, recalculating route? He does give us these directions and He recalculates our route when we don’t follow his path. It is just not as easy to hear Him. If it was, we would never take the time to seek Him, pray, and wait for His direction in faith. God doesn’t want us to lose our way or feel confused in what path to take. He just desires for His children to come to Him just like parents desire to hear from their own children. He will always prove to know what is best and help us to understand His way.
We all want the truth until it reveals something in us we may not like, or we don’t get the truth we think we desire. Jesus Himself is (the truth), in Him there is nothing false, He is one with God. When we doubt God or we feel panic and confusion in our situations, we really are not holding on to the truth, but our own flesh. We forget how God has always been with us in the past. All the times he showed us the truth that He is in control and knows what is best. He can calm the storms of life just like He did when the disciples panicked in the boat during the storm. Jesus instantly stopped the wind and waves, all the while the disciples thought they were going to die. They had lost their faith. When Jesus spoke, they were aware that the truth, Jesus, is all knowing and all powerful. When we face any situation, confused or not, we will not have the truth until we have heard from Him.
One of the main things we want is to live a life that lasts forever. Jesus is (the Life) and through our belief in Him, we will have an eternal life, but not on this earth. We get confused and think we want to stay here forever, but that’s not the point. We are here for just a moment and while we are here, we are to carry out the work of the Lord. Jesus gave us the example of a perfect life as he faced temptations and the same situations that we do. When we feel confusion and frustration, we need to remember that this life is not about us. God wants us to follow the example of Jesus and spread His gospel to the whole earth. If we truly seek to serve Him our desire will be to do just that.
This past week my oldest had his wisdom teeth removed. If you saw his Snapchat story I don’t know if I should say I’m sorry or you’re welcome.
If you know you know.
I digress. He had his teeth removed on a Wednesday and that Friday the high school that he used to attend had their homecoming – and if you are from the great state of Texas you know what a big deal that is.
Of course he wanted to go, but in good conscience I just couldn’t let him. Not only is it an hour drive away – the kid is totally crazy at ball games. All the yelling and all the cheering. I just knew in my momma’s heart that he couldn’t go. I didn’t want him to overdo it too soon after surgery.
And it killed me for him to have to miss it.
Luckily, he’s a pretty good kid. He trusted my choice and my reasoning. He knew I was trying to protect him from getting sick or hurt after surgery. He didn’t question me or cry or whine.
That’s what God does for His kiddos, too. He looks out for our best interest. He protects us from getting hurt. He puts a stop to situations that could end not so well.
The thing is I need to be more like Maverick. I need to be more trusting of God’s path for me. Shamefully, I am more of the whining, crying, and questioning type. When I want to think my plan is the best I need to remember to open up my Bible. Story after story after story clearly paints a picture of what happens when humans want to do things their way.
We need to trust God.
We need to seek His will.
We need to let Him be the parent.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
With high school football, and other sports in full swing, are you cheering and bragging about your favorite team or player? Do you boast with pride about your sports team? What about when they aren’t doing so well? Are you quieter?
What do you boast about? Do you want everyone to know about your failures and struggles? Do you brag about them?
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10) This is the Mary Staggs Version of that verse: God’s favor, approval, mercy & forgiveness is all I need. God’s power works best when I am weak, stumped, discouraged, hurt, and humbled. So now let me tell everyone with a smile about my failures, struggles, and fears, so that the mighty power of Christ – the creator of the universe – the same power that raised Jesus from the dead and amazingly lives in me can work through me! That’s why I can, (but don’t always smile) when I’m weak, mess up, when I’m insulted, when things are hard, or when troubles overtake me. Because in my weakest moment I can be strong! What? In any temptation, trial, sickness, grief, or struggle – not me, not my brain, not my heart, not my friends, my parents or my upbringing, but my Savior is strong in me.
Listen up, HE IS MIGHTY, I (we) just need to get out of the way. God uses my struggles to get me out of the way so HE can work. It’s all about HIM. It’s about making HIS name great. It’s about others seeing God do things we cannot do ourselves. HE does it way better than I can even imagine. “Humble yourself under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up. (1 Peter 5:6) The next verse is my favorite. I’ve taught it to all my preschoolers for the last 40 years: Give all your worries and cares to God, for HE cares about you! GOD CARES FOR YOU!
He is not worried about what you have or don’t have, your size, your age, your education, your hair color, your race, where you work, or your bank account. HE just wants my heart.
There is nothing that can separate me from God’s love, I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13) He is strong in my weakness! Now that is something to brag about.
Brag on Jesus today, be glad (the joy of the Lord is your strength) and let others see Jesus through you!
“God doesn’t want something from us, He simply wants us.” – C.S Lewis
I don’t sit up straight on Saturday.
I do not typically begin writing these with such a random statement. I have to say though, the Lord spoke to me the other day. When the Lord speaks, He speaks.
It was the weekend – a Saturday morning to be exact. My favorite day to wake up just before my husband does, have my coffee, and make breakfast for us. I shared this all to get the point across that those are very relaxing mornings for myself.
I don’t have to get up and hit the ground running at the sound of an alarm, and I don’t have to act like I have it all together even if I’m really just not feeling it. I come as I am. Just like the Lord wants us to “come as we are”. As I’m relaxed on Saturday’s with my hair on the top of my head in a bun, over sized T-shirt, I’m also makeup free. Lastly, I am not sitting up straight.
I can blame my years of dental assisting for poor posture, or I can boldly admit that the Lord stopped me in my tracks and reminded me of that feeling I have on Saturday’s of relaxation. To simply just be me, is how the Lord wants us to come to him. We don’t have to be proper or put a smile on to hide the mess. We can be that comfortable for the Lord. Our true rest.
I hope today you choose to come as you are. We don’t have to “fit the part”. He created our part, and we are more than qualified with him.
“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Lord, thank you for the reminders you send to us through everyday life. We aren’t here to do anything more than to simply serve you, and to love how you love. Thank you for the reminder to be natural with ourselves and one another. We can truly be who you made us to be. Thank you for the rest we can find in you. Lastly, thank you for sending your Son to walk a perfect life with the knowledge that we would never be able to. Amen.
My sisters are probably shaking their heads in shame right now as I openly admit that I went to the Urban Dictionary for the correct and cool meaning of said word.
Dupe.
Duplicate.
Not an original.
You are none of those things. God made you, designed you, created YOU with His own two hands, and you can bet your bottom dollar that He is beyond proud of His work – of YOU.
You’re not an accident.
You’re not an afterthought.
And you’re certainly not [her].
You are you.
You are His.
And you are destined for great things.
Sister, all you’ve got to do is believe it.
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
I remember the day the doctor told me my diagnosis like it was yesterday. My mom went with me to the appointment. When the doctor gave us the news she immediately called my dad and siblings who quickly met us at the house. Not a lot of words were said between all of us at that moment, but I remember just being glad that they were with me while I nervously folded clothes that should have been put away days before.
I didn’t sleep much that night. Instead, I laid in bed and just prayed and asked God why I was going through this. The next morning I woke up with a peace that I cannot explain. I was no longer scared, and I was ready to get a plan and face this head on. From the very first day of finding out that I had cancer – having my family and friends’ support and prayers meant the world to me. Through every step – from my first appointment, chemo treatments, and shaving my head – them being there meant so much to me.
I wanted to find a way to do that for others, so while I was going through treatment I looked for a way to help. I started volunteering with a group called Cowboys Who Care. This group brings cowboy hats to children with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. During my time with them, I was able to bring children going through cancer treatment to rodeos and give them a fun experience during a hard time in their life.
During my first few appointments, I was told how my treatment should go and was given the option to have fertility preservation done before starting my treatment. I was fortunate enough to be able to do this because of the support system that I have. I will even have my identical twin sister be my surrogate when I am ready for a family of my own (seriously, how blessed am I??). During this time, I learned many women would not be able to do because of the financial burden.
This is why I began Kate’s Cause. I believe that no women should have to sacrifice having a family to have the treatment that will save her life. I want to be able to offer the support that I was given to as many women as I can!
I truly believe that God gives us hard times so that we can be a light for someone else going through a similar situation. Although these times were hard for me, I never felt that He was not by my side. I believe that he showed this so much through the compassion and support of the people He placed in my life. I am thankful for my experiences because I believe that it has given me such a different perspective. I am now able to give some of the love I received back to others.
At 25 yeas old in November of 2018, I was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma of the cervix/uterus. During my first few appointments, I was told how my treatment should go, and was given the option to have fertility preservation done before starting my treatment. I was fortunate enough to be able to do this because of the support system that I have. I will even have my identical twin sister be my surrogate when I am ready for a family of my own (seriously, how blessed am I??). During this time, I learned many women would not be able to do this because of the financial burden.
This is why I began Kate’s Cause. I believe that no women should have to sacrifice having a family to have the treatment that will save her life, and I want to be able to offer the support that I was given to as many women as I can!
Please follow Kate’s Cause on Facebook and Instagram. Pray for her non-profit to continue to grow and bless women in need.
You can read more about Kate’s story in the following article:
There’s a difference in being a sassy woman and being a strong woman.
There’s a difference in being cocky and being confident.
There’s a difference in telling it like it is and speaking the truth in love.
The difference – well, it’s love.
The more Jesus you consume, the more Jesus you radiate. The more Fruit you take in, the more Fruit you put out.
Lord, help me never to be haughty but instead to be humble. Help me to be more like you.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
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